Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD)

Student Spotlight

From consulting to classroom

Chrisna Govin, JD/MBA’13

Chrisna Govin considered Indiana Law because of its three-year JD/MBA program, one of only a few in the country. Once she visited the School, she was convinced.

Before coming to the Law School: I worked for Accenture, a technology and management consulting firm, in New York City. I consulted or provided project management in several areas, including mergers, integrations and a variety of technology initiatives.

I wanted a joint degree quickly. I knew that I wanted both a JD and an MBA degree, and I wanted to complete the program in three years. The Maurer School of Law is one of only a very few schools that offer a joint degree in just three years. I looked at other programs, but when I visited the campus during Spring Law Day, I was sold. The class I sat in on was interesting, and the students and faculty I met were collegial and welcoming.

The practice group advisors helped me get oriented. The Law School puts first-year students into small groups with practice group advisors—2L and 3L students who help us get to know each other informally. In our PGA sessions, we talk casually about life in law school. It’s a great primer for the second-semester legal profession class, where our practice group stays together to work on case assignments and team-building skills. I’ve made great friends in my practice group, and the PGAs were great.

Be prepared to be surprised. I was sure that contracts would be boring and dry, but it wasn’t! I was surprised to find out that contract law isn’t black and white, and it was fun to learn to think through the cases we discussed. Professor Buxbaum was just excellent. She explained complex matters clearly and was open and understanding about first-semester growing pains. Because contracts was such a surprise, I’ve realized that I like the unpredictability that each new course brings.

What to consider when choosing a school. The most important thing is to determine the learning environment you want. Some people are driven by a collegial and welcoming environment; others learn better in a highly competitive environment. Figure out how you learn best, and if you want a collegial place to go to law school, come to Bloomington. It’s also important to know what you’re getting into. Law school is a big time commitment. Sit in on a couple of classes, talk to students, and know what’s required. And keep an open mind!